The incident in particular involves, Pebbles, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel we met at a dog cafe. I had been meeting up with Pebbles quite regularly at K9 Kulture over the past year and even attended his 1st birthday. I always have great fun playing and roughhousing with Pebbles and vice versa. His mummy and mine also share information about doggie stuff whenever we met up. His mummy is aware that I have a tick problem, but since Pebbles never gets any ticks from me, she's okay with us playing together.
However, this year, his mummy and mine were supposed to plan a combined birthday party for Pebbles and Honey, because they are siblings and share the same birthday. When everything was planned (mummy was supposed to take care of drinks and some doggie food), Pebbles mummy called mine up a few days before the party to say that her guests are not coming because she told them Zeus and Honey have ticks. In fact, she phrased it in such a way that gave mummy no choice but to back out of the party in order not to ruin it for Pebbles' guests.
Why did she do that? Because a mutual friend Jouni told her its her duty to tell everyone if we have ticks. And even though mummy have already gotten most of the ticks off us, and is using tick control, Pebbles' mummy still feels obliged to tell her guests that we have ticks.
However my mummy is very angry, because the party was held at Botanic Gardens, which is full of ticks (mummy's sister brought Toby the Golden Retriever there before and he came back with many ticks. Yet when she pointed that out, all Pebbles' mummy could say was that there were no ticks at Botanic Gardens, and that Pebbles never had ticks, so to her, Botanic Gardens has no ticks.
Really? So why didn't she apply that same logic on me and Honey (when we play with Pebbles). There were so many loopholes in her argument. For example, if this was the standard operating procedure, then why were we allowed to attend Pebbles' 1st birthday without any questions? And if this was a matter of safety, why weren't all the guests at Pebbles' 1st birthday questioned? Then what of other dogs who happen to be at Botanic Gardens on the same day? What if they have ticks and interacted with the birthday guests?
Her answer: If we don't know they have ticks, then it's okay.
In fact she came up with many other excuses that mummy and daddy dismissed as pure poppycock. She said things such as Botanic Gardens is a low-risk area (it's quite common knowledge ticks are found on grass). And that other dogs are 100% tick-free. Really? Take a look at this:
The thing that really upset mummy was that instead of coming to mummy's defense, she valued the quantity of her guests more than anything else.
In fact one of the last things she said to mummy was "If the grass at your area has ticks, then you should walk your dogs somewhere else."
HAH?
THEN I GOT NO CAR HOW?
Is she insisting that every dog owner, with or without car, has to travel all the way Kent Ridge Park just to walk their dogs because she thinks there are no ticks there?
Mummy will stop here because since the whole saga is bordering on the ridiculous. But she would just like to say the only impression she took away from Pebble's owner, was the message "Get Out of My Elite Uncaring Face."
Yes, just like Wee Shu Min, dog owners can be elitists too. These are the owners who would never spend time or money helping out animal shelters, these are owners that think a pedigree pet is more important than a homeless stray. These are the owners who would carry their dogs when they see other dogs in the distance because they think all other dogs are a potential threat.
So this Christmas, mummy thought long and hard about what to get me and Honey as a present. And she also thought about what would pets really like for Christmas. The best gifts she feels, are the most thoughtful ones. And these are the things she came up with:
Time
The best thing you can give your pet is quality time. Take a day off. Bring your dog for a long walk. Play fetch.Cook for your pet. Communicate with your pet. It will be much appreciated.
Donate to Animal Shelters
These animals have no home and no playmates. Some are sick and some lack proper nutrition. Animal Shelters like Hope Dog Rescue, Gentle Paws, Metta Cats and many other independent rescuers and feeders need funds for food and medical expenses. If you can't spend money, at least give your time.
Make your home pet friendly
Be it hiding wires (rabbits chew on them), or buying pet friendly furniture (no sharp corners), we're sure a safer home is a better home.
Something useful
Maybe your old dog has arthritic problems, have you considered a orthopedic bed?
Better Food
Make a commitment to give your dog better food. If you have been buying kibbles, you might like to buy better brands (like Ziwipeak), or add more beneficial foods to their diet. Mummy gives us half boiled eggs, potatoes, yogurt, veggies and oats from time to time.
Also try to read food labels, and make sure there's no meat by-products and harmful additives in the ingredients. Many Well Known Food Brands Have Them. So be Careful.
Stimulating Toys
Studies have shown that dogs like toys that have sounds and can be easily manipulated. This Christmas, mummy bought me a squeaky crocodile that has many squeaky bits
And Honey gets this (see below) because mummy thinks Honey is smarter and more active and therefore needs constant engagement and toys that allow her to think and play with for a longer span of time. So if you have an active dog, you might like to consider getting them mind-simulating toys, especially if they are left alone for long periods of time.
Lastly, because you haven't seen any pictures of me and Honey yet, mummy will leave you with this video, where she took a half day off and brought us out to explore the Jap Cemetery! So fun!
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